When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Can anyone tell me how you can get an evo motor with only z189 anywhere on the entire motor how does one do that or get that done and how would you get parts for it
I read some of your posts in other threads. Z189 on your engine sounds like a certain form of ID that H-D began using on Big Twins and Sportsters as of 1975 models. For Sportsters it was often stamped at the front of the cases. For Big Twins it was sometimes at the front of the cases but mostly I’ve found it at the rear.
Here’s a photo of a similar marking (A9++) on an Evo.
Is that where your cases have Z189? But even if it is, I don’t know if your cases are H-D or aftermarket. And neither could I tell from photos of the bike that I saw in another thread.
Can you post clear close-ups of Z189 on both your cases please.
Are you absolutely certain there are no markings on the left side of the left case near the base of the cylinders? If nothing there, is there any sign that something was removed? Photos?
Also on the left case look for a crankcase production number. It may be forward of the inner primary cover and near the engine mount. Photo?
Eric
I read some of your posts in other threads. Z189 on your engine sounds like a certain form of ID that H-D began using on Big Twins and Sportsters as of 1975 models. For Sportsters it was often stamped at the front of the cases. For Big Twins it was sometimes at the front of the cases but mostly I’ve found it at the rear.
Here’s a photo of a similar marking (A9++) on an Evo.
Is that where your cases have Z189? But even if it is, I don’t know if your cases are H-D or aftermarket. And neither could I tell from photos of the bike that I saw in another thread.
Can you post clear close-ups of Z189 on both your cases please.
Are you absolutely certain there are no markings on the left side of the left case near the base of the cylinders? If nothing there, is there any sign that something was removed? Photos?
Also on the left case look for a crankcase production number. It may be forward of the inner primary cover and near the engine mount. Photo?
Eric
first of all thank you for replying with something relevant and I have not found any numbers on the whole entire motor except for z189 on both sides of the case I am going to get the bike on the lift pull the exhaust and try to get some pictures of the whole motor i finally found a dealer willing to help me try to find the gaskets i need to stop the leaks but he need pictures as close and good as possible so give me until Saturday afternoon and I will send you some pictures and thank you again for your help every little bit helps in this kind of situation
I read some of your posts in other threads. Z189 on your engine sounds like a certain form of ID that H-D began using on Big Twins and Sportsters as of 1975 models. For Sportsters it was often stamped at the front of the cases. For Big Twins it was sometimes at the front of the cases but mostly I’ve found it at the rear.
Here’s a photo of a similar marking (A9++) on an Evo.
Is that where your cases have Z189? But even if it is, I don’t know if your cases are H-D or aftermarket. And neither could I tell from photos of the bike that I saw in another thread.
Can you post clear close-ups of Z189 on both your cases please.
Are you absolutely certain there are no markings on the left side of the left case near the base of the cylinders? If nothing there, is there any sign that something was removed? Photos?
Also on the left case look for a crankcase production number. It may be forward of the inner primary cover and near the engine mount. Photo?
Eric
did you get any pictures at all I'm not sure i was able to send them
Last edited by Headrickron; Mar 19, 2026 at 11:44 AM.
I read some of your posts in other threads. Z189 on your engine sounds like a certain form of ID that H-D began using on Big Twins and Sportsters as of 1975 models. For Sportsters it was often stamped at the front of the cases. For Big Twins it was sometimes at the front of the cases but mostly I’ve found it at the rear.
Here’s a photo of a similar marking (A9++) on an Evo.
Is that where your cases have Z189? But even if it is, I don’t know if your cases are H-D or aftermarket. And neither could I tell from photos of the bike that I saw in another thread.
Can you post clear close-ups of Z189 on both your cases please.
Are you absolutely certain there are no markings on the left side of the left case near the base of the cylinders? If nothing there, is there any sign that something was removed? Photos?
Also on the left case look for a crankcase production number. It may be forward of the inner primary cover and near the engine mount. Photo?
Eric
I will get you better pictures but it won't be until Saturday afternoon those are the best I have right now
did you get any pictures at all I'm not sure i was able to send them
man i found some numbers on the right side front jug on the bottom i can't read it all i don't have some brake clean right now but it looks like at least 8 to 10 digits and it has HD on the jug anyway but I will get you pictures asap
Thanks for the photos. What is this marking? It could be the start of a crankcase production number (CPN)? Are the first two characters 1 and 5? If so, 15 is one of the code numbers used for CPNs on Evos.
Third character may be 8? Whatever it is, it and the fourth character may indicate model year of the crankcase. In total there may be ten characters. (R-H case may have the same CPN but it will be inside the gear compartment near the cam bearing and therefore not visible on an assembled engine.)
Also on the left case have a very close look at this area. Do I see any markings here? Or has anything been removed? Or maybe it’s just the photo? It may be a good idea to clean this area thoroughly to be certain.
Regarding the number you found on the R-H side of the front cylinder, it may be 16584-83 or 16584-83A? Or something else? There may also be some other markings nearby, including the H-D trademark. Rear cylinder may have markings in the same area?
Eric
Thanks for the photos. What is this marking? It could be the start of a crankcase production number (CPN)? Are the first two characters 1 and 5? If so, 15 is one of the code numbers used for CPNs on Evos.
Third character may be 8? Whatever it is, it and the fourth character may indicate model year of the crankcase. In total there may be ten characters. (R-H case may have the same CPN but it will be inside the gear compartment near the cam bearing and therefore not visible on an assembled engine.)
Also on the left case have a very close look at this area. Do I see any markings here? Or has anything been removed? Or maybe it’s just the photo? It may be a good idea to clean this area thoroughly to be certain.
theses are on the left side down near the stator plug
Regarding the number you found on the R-H side of the front cylinder, it may be 16584-83 or 16584-83A? Or something else? There may also be some other markings nearby, including the H-D trademark. Rear cylinder may have markings in the same area?
Eric
These numbers are down near the stator plug on the left side
Thanks for the photo. As I suggested in my previous post the first two characters are 1 and 5. And 15 is one of the code numbers used for CPNs on H-D Evos.
Next two characters (86) indicate the left case is a 1986 model.
Next three characters represent the day of production and the last three characters indicate the production number for that day.
Your CPN appears consistent with factory stamping for a 1986 model and here’s a partial example for comparison of most characters.
But what about the area I highlighted with a blue rectangle in my previous post? Did you check that area thoroughly?
Also, I saw your latest thread (Custom bike need info) which apparently contains a picture of a number on the cylinders but the picture is not visible to me. Can you try posting that picture again please, and preferably in this thread. Thanks.
Eric
Case with no numbers
